Qing Pu brought up a cup of Jun Mountain Silver Needle tea, which Jin Chao personally took and placed beside him. After contemplating for a moment, she said, “Third Master now frequently stays in my quarters. Do you need someone added to serve you? Currently, I cannot properly serve you, and I don’t know what you plan to do with the concubines…”

Chen Yan Yun gently brushed away the floating bubbles with the tea lid and took a sip.

He said nothing, his expression unchanged, yet Jin Chao felt a tension rising within her.

Just like in her previous life, she still couldn’t discern what this man was thinking. She had initially thought it was enough to know that Chen Yan Yun wouldn’t harm her, but since they were to spend a lifetime together, they should naturally understand each other’s hearts. Someone as dominant as Third Master Chen was accustomed to control, accustomed to letting actions speak for themselves. Unless necessary, he wouldn’t offer much explanation, believing that others would understand from his actions.

Gu Jin Chao inwardly gave a bitter smile. Was she not also harboring her thoughts, not fully revealing herself to him?

She must still have some reservations, simply afraid to open her heart completely.

“These words… were they your idea?” Third Master asked calmly without looking at her.

Jin Chao replied, “This morning when the three concubines came to pay their respects, Mama Wang mentioned that Concubine Yu seems to have not yet served you.”

Third Master Chen nodded, “Jiang shi’s dowry maid is now managing your affairs? Where is your dowry maid?”

Why was he asking about this? Gu Jin Chao wasn’t sure. If possible, she wouldn’t want to use Mama Wang, but Mama Wang was Jiang Shi’s maid and had been specifically assigned to her by Old Madam Chen. If she immediately stripped Mama Wang of her authority, it would inevitably invite criticism. Moreover, Mama Wang was thoroughly familiar with Jiang Shi’s dowry; replacing her would only lead to confusion.

“I do have a dowry maid, but she’s helping me manage my dowry properties. She’s not yet fully familiar with household affairs.”

Gu Jin Chao was referring to Mama Tong, who was currently helping her manage the estate matters. It was time to harvest corn and peanuts, keeping her extremely busy. She had never fully taken charge of household affairs; Jin Chao personally managed the daily provisions for each quarter, and when she couldn’t handle everything, Mama Wang would assist her, frequently coming to her quarters.

Third Master Chen nodded and said, “Since your dowry maid is still unfamiliar with household matters, I’ll have Mother arrange another one for you.”

What about the bed-servant matter?

Gu Jin Chao looked at his calm, composed features and felt an involuntary sourness in her heart.

She suddenly recalled an incident from her previous life.

After Third Master Chen moved to the front courtyard, they rarely saw each other. Old Madam Chen had reprimanded her a couple of times, assuming they were not getting along. Upon returning, Gu Jin Chao had selected two pretty maids from her dowry and sent them to him, never inquiring about them afterward. What had happened to those two maids later…

In her previous life, she had been quite heartless, because she simply didn’t care.

Chen Yan Yun began eating, making no unnecessary sounds with his bowl and chopsticks. Jin Chao, standing beside him, felt increasingly rigid. This standoff couldn’t continue. When the maid brought in more dishes, she took a pair of chopsticks and personally served him.

Chen Yan Yun said nothing. After finishing the meal, he instructed the maids to clear away the dishes and close the door.

He stood up and looked at Gu Jin Chao, his expression calm and unruffled. After a while, he sighed, “Gu Jin Chao, you always make me angry.”

How had she angered him… This matter shouldn’t have been her decision to make.

Each time she didn’t know what she had done wrong, she wore this innocent and silent expression.

Chen Yan Yun reached out and pinched her face, forcing her to look up at him. “If I say I want a bed servant, would you find someone for me by tomorrow? Or perhaps when I return, you’ll have already sent Concubine Yu to my bed?”

His tone was very calm, but his gaze was piercing. Jin Chao dared not look directly into his eyes and said softly, “If you say so, I will do it.”

“But would you be willing in your heart?”

Whether she was willing or not… did it matter?

Gu Jin Chao remained silent. After a moment, Third Master Chen released her, his tone indifferent: “Today I drafted memorials in the Grand Secretariat all morning. I’m tired too. Let’s rest now.” He rose and went directly to the washroom.

Jin Chao sensed that the Third Master was very displeased about this matter. She quietly reflected on whether she had said something wrong. After thinking for a while, she felt there was no problem; if anything was wrong, it was that she had appeared too magnanimous.

Would her attitude displease Third Master Chen?

Shouldn’t all men prefer their wives to be more tolerant, not minding their occasional dalliances?

After a while, Gu Jin Chao called Cai Fu in to help her wash up. She removed her hairpins, arranged her hair in a small bun, and changed into a jade-colored plain satin padded jacket. She washed her face with jasmine-infused water, applied fragrant cream, and lay down on the bed.

Third Master Chen was certainly no ordinary man. If he favored women, wouldn’t he be surrounded by beauties? With his current status and position, he could have any concubine he wanted. Perhaps she had truly been mistaken. Gu Jin Chao closed her eyes and felt drowsiness overtaking her…

Third Master Chen emerged from the washroom, lifted the thin quilt, and lay down beside her. Jin Chao immediately became alert. She kept her eyes closed and listened for a long time, until she heard Third Master Chen’s steady breathing, then turned her head to look at him. The court affairs must have been exhausting; he seemed to have truly fallen asleep.

With him asleep, Gu Jin Chao grew bolder. She propped herself up on her elbow and watched him for a while—his thick, arched eyebrows, straight nose, and handsome yet scholarly features. She lay back down, her mind heavy with thoughts.

The next day, when she went to pay respects to Old Madam Chen, the old lady called over a matron for her inspection.

“Early this morning when Third Son left, he specifically mentioned having me assign another matron to serve you. This is Mama Sun, who originally worked in the needlework department. Her son is the steward at the Baoding estate and has served the Chen family for over ten years,” Old Madam Chen told her.

Mama Sun wore a dark blue cotton-padded jacket with a plain silver hairpin, appearing very modest. She smiled and bowed to Jin Chao, “This servant Sun Shi pays respects to Third Madam.”

Jin Chao thanked Old Madam Chen, “I appreciate your finding someone so quickly.” Unsure whether Third Master Chen had explained the situation clearly, Jin Chao added, “My dowry maid is currently busy with estate matters. In the household, only Mama Wang is managing, but she’s somewhat overwhelmed. Thank you for your consideration, Mother.”

Old Madam Chen smiled, “It’s just my oversight. Your Second Sister-in-law also has three managing matrons. Sometimes during spring and autumn accounting, they’re too busy and need to borrow people from me.”

Shortly after, the second branch came to pay respects. Madam Shen carried the four-year-old eldest grandson Xian, while Madam Zhuang led the three-year-old Zheng. Both children, with their tender voices, called Chen Xi and Chen Zhao “Fourth Aunt” and “Fifth Aunt.” Madam Shen and Madam Zhuang placed the two children on the luohan bed and fed them sugar-roasted chestnuts from the plate on the kang table.

Sun Shi, looking at her sisters-in-law’s children, unconsciously touched her belly and smiled, “I wonder if I’ll be able to give Grandmother another great-grandson…”

Old Madam Chen, watching the children play, smiled benevolently, “I’d rather hope you give me another great-granddaughter, to give Xian and Zheng a cousin sister.”

Xian, being more sensible, widened his eyes and said, “Xian wants a sister!”

Madam Qin then smiled, “Perhaps Mother’s wish will come true. Yi Xiang’s belly is quite round.” She didn’t care whether Sun Shi had a boy or a girl; after all, she already had two grandsons, and her position in the Chen family was extremely secure. Thinking about it, she preferred Sun shi to have a girl, to prevent her from becoming arrogant.

Sun Shi naturally couldn’t be happy. The pigeon soup stewed with milk she was holding no longer tasted good. But she turned to smile and speak to Gu Jin Chao, “Perhaps Third Aunt will give Grandmother a granddaughter this year…” Realizing this wasn’t quite appropriate, her heart tightened, and she quickly added, “A grandson would be good too.”

Everyone had observed how highly the Third Master valued Gu Jin Chao. Her position in the Chen family was extraordinary. These daughters-in-law not only had to watch Madam Qin’s mood but also needed to please Gu Jin Chao. How could she have said such a thing… Sun Shi felt her palms becoming sweaty.

Old Madam Chen smiled at Jin Chao, “Whether you give me a grandson or granddaughter, I’ll be happy with either.”

Jin Chao naturally didn’t mind such remarks, but thinking of last night’s distance with Third Master Chen, she merely smiled.

Soon the fourth and sixth branches arrived.

Madam Ge appeared very tired but considerably more relaxed. Old Madam Chen asked about Sixth Master Chen kneeling in the ancestral hall and sighed, “…I don’t expect him to achieve much, just to be as well-behaved as his Fourth Brother.”

Madam Ge said, “I went to see him last night. The Sixth Master fell asleep while kneeling. The ground was very cold, and he soon woke up, dozing against a pillar… but he didn’t dare stand up.”

Gu Jin Chao looked at Madam Ge, thinking that she truly held deep feelings for Sixth Master Chen, not knowing how long she had kept watch at the ancestral hall. She smiled and said to Madam Ge, “After the Sixth Master goes to live at Baoxiang Temple, if the Sixth Sister-in-law feels lonely, come visit me.”

Madam Ge smiled, “I’m just afraid of disturbing Third Sister-in-law’s peace.” But inwardly, she breathed a sigh of relief. With Third Master’s people watching over Sixth Master Chen, hopefully, nothing would go wrong. She truly envied the other sisters-in-law, who at least had some say in the Chen family.

Old Madam Chen was very pleased, “You’re too reserved by nature. You should socialize more.” She then turned to Madam Qin and said, “You need to look after the sixth branch more. Your Sixth Sister-in-law can’t control people; if any maids become unruly in the future, feel free to deal with them.”

Madam Qin smiled and agreed.

Jin Chao was somewhat surprised; she hadn’t known that the affairs of the sixth branch were managed by Madam Qin.

No wonder Madam Ge was so timid.

While the room was lively with conversation, Jin Chao lowered her head to drink tea. When she looked up, she noticed a boy peeking through the doorway.

Someone seemed to push him from behind, causing him to stumble into the room.

Jin Chao noticed that Old Madam Chen, Madam Qin, and Madam Wang all frowned. After the boy got up from the ground, he looked somewhat lost. He wore a half-worn, short jacket and had a stream of green mucus running from his nose. Behind him appeared a nanny who quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe his nose, then led him before Old Madam Chen to pay respects. She smiled and said, “The Ninth Young Master ran too fast, this servant couldn’t keep up… He’s paying respects to Old Madam.”

Old Madam Chen frowned slightly, “In this hot weather, how did he catch a cold?”

The nanny, a plump woman with upward-slanting eyebrows, explained with a smile, “The Ninth Young Master kicked off his blanket while sleeping last night… It was this servant’s negligence.”

Madam Qin stood up and said, “Then I’ll have a doctor come see him when we return.”

Old Madam Chen nodded, and the boy looked blankly around. On the luohan bed sat the well-dressed Chen family grandchildren and great-grandchildren, eating sugar-roasted chestnuts. He tugged at his nanny’s sleeve and said softly, “Chestnuts…”

Madam Qin immediately said, “Han Zhen, quickly give the Ninth Young Master a handful of chestnuts.” Her maid Han Zhen bowed, took some chestnuts, and gave them to the nanny. The nanny smiled again and promptly led the boy away.

Jin Chao was somewhat dazed. After a while, she quietly asked Madam Wang, “That child is… Ninth Young Master Chen Xuan Yue?”

The future Left Commander and Gansu Commander-in-Chief Chen Xuan Yue, famed for his military exploits in quelling the great Mongolian rebellion?